Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua’s Wamunyoro residence was a hive of activity on Thursday as broad consultations with grassroots opinion leaders gathered pace.
The former Deputy President announced the start of the engagements earlier this week, shortly after completing a three-day political tour of Western Kenya that formed part of the opposition’s efforts to build support ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Gachagua, who has said he intends to challenge President William Ruto in the next election, has increasingly placed himself at the centre of opposition mobilisation, even as the United Alternative Government coalition has yet to agree on a single presidential candidate.
The opposition alliance brings together Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi.
The Wamunyoro consultations come amid an intensified push by opposition leaders to consolidate support across different parts of the country.
Last week, Gachagua was joined by several coalition principals during a tour that covered Kisumu, Vihiga, Kakamega, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties.
During the tour, the leaders urged supporters to rally behind a united opposition front, saying unity would be essential in mounting a strong challenge against President Ruto in 2027.
Speaking in an interview in Kitale on Sunday at the end of the Western Kenya tour, Gachagua maintained that unity remained the coalition’s most important goal.
“We must remove William Ruto from power, and when William Ruto is in power, the way to remove him is to unite,” he said.
The Western Kenya tour also allowed the opposition to strengthen ties with influential regional leaders, including Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, who has become one of the government’s most outspoken critics.
Before the tour, Gachagua said he had briefed Natembeya on the outcome of a 45-day stakeholder engagement process at his Wamunyoro home, aimed at building consensus around the selection of a single presidential candidate for the opposition alliance.
The latest meetings at Wamunyoro appear to be a continuation of that process.
On Tuesday, Gachagua hosted opinion leaders from Nyandarua county, describing the gathering as the first in a series of consultations that would help guide the opposition’s next steps.
He said the engagements were guided by the belief that political leaders must listen to citizens and incorporate their views into governance and coalition-building efforts.
“Our governance model in the next administration is strongly anchored on listening to the people, to whom our Constitution vests supremacy. I am grateful to opinion leaders from Nyandarua county and greatly value their insights and contributions; this was the first team I have engaged, and I am delighted,” Gachagua said.
According to Gachagua, the discussions are intended to help shape both the opposition’s political strategy and governance agenda ahead of the next election cycle.
The former Deputy President said the consultations were informed by the mandate he received from residents of the Mt Kenya region to engage leaders from other parts of the country in pursuit of a broad-based political alliance.
“I assure them, in exercise of the mandate they have given me to engage other leaders, I will be guided by their advice and views. The extensive consultations will continue,” he said.
The venue drew a heavy turnout, with delegations continuing to arrive throughout the day.
The consultations come at a time when opposition leaders are increasingly focusing on coalition-building as political activity gradually shifts towards the 2027 General Election.
While the opposition coalition has repeatedly insisted it will field a single presidential candidate, its leaders have maintained that the process of identifying that candidate will be guided by consensus and consultations with supporters across the country.
For Gachagua, the Wamunyoro meetings represent the latest phase of an outreach campaign that has moved from regional engagements in Mt Kenya to broader consultations with political leaders from other regions as the opposition seeks to strengthen its national footprint.